I like text-based games (like from ifdb), but I don’t like sitting at attention in front of my computer like I do all day at work. Any ideas for how to play these effectively without being on a computer?

  • I’ve hacked a Kindle Paperwhite & used an on-screen virtual keyboard to play these games. That worked OK, but the virtual keyboard is very imprecise and frustrating.

  • I’ve similarly hacked a Kindle 3 (the last model to include a physical keyboard). I hoped the physical keyboard would do the trick. Unfortunately, the key buttons are convex & very stiff - which hurt my fingertips after even short play sessions.

Any other ideas? Or is this a fool’s errand?

  • @[email protected]English
    1•10 months ago

    Smartphone software like messaging or notes is built with imprecision in mind. I don’t know about you, but I use the swype method (moving a finger continuously from key to key and lifting at the end of the word) and when writing a message I still spend like 50% of the time correcting mistakes from the virtual keyboard.

    Because these are usually short messages, you’d instead likely be hunting and pecking the virtual keys, but without the tactile feedback of a real keyboard. For games that are all about text, it’s a preference thing.

    Plus a phone comes with a ton of distractions that a dedicated device without notifications doesn’t. Sure, you could turn on do not disturb while playing a text game but that feels a little intense. Don’t bother me, it’s Zork time!!

    And if you really think about it, your question is basically like asking why anyone would need a Nintendo Switch when mobile games have virtual controls.

    • fknEnglish
      1•10 months ago

      I wasn’t trying to be dismissive. You bring up several good points. I asked because what seems to me the most obvious small form factor answer hadn’t been considered at all.